LEICA SL3 Manual

BEFORE STARTING

NEW

White Balance/Video ISO Lock:
Added lock function for white balance settings Auto ISO and Auto WB. This function ensures a constant ISO value and automatic white balance during video recording until recording is stopped, or settings are changed via menu settings.

Joystick
_Additional assignment options:
Factory setting: AFs
Magnification is now also available for MF lenses and Leica M lenses.
_Additional function Click and Hold for AF-L, AE-L, and AF-L + AE-L:
In the Click setting, the joystick will no longer need pressing and holding, and will be simply activated and deactivated with a single click instead.
_Additional function for the joystick assignment:
When AF-ON is selected for the joystick, AF metering via the shutter button is deactivated. The metering function is instead activated by pressing the joystick.

IMPROVEMENT

User profile:
Preparation for future firmware updates. Updates for Version 2.0.0 and later will automatically apply existing settings for User profiles, Language, Time and Date.
Thumbwheel:
New functionality as function button
Perspective Control:
The perspective control function is now also available in continuous shooting mode for 2 fps, 4 fps, and 5 fps.
Continuous Shooting:
The start delay for the setting 15 fps was reduced by 700 ms.
Control Center:
Optimization of the connectivity icons and their positioning in the Control Center. Bluetooth (), Wi-Fi (), cable ()
Storage options:
The storage option DNG+JPG on CFe=SD (Backup) was optimized. A warning message will be displayed that no backup option is available if one of the two memory cards is unavailable for functional or capacity reasons.
User profile:
The setting for AF field size will now be taken into consideration when creating a backup of the user profile.
Camera menu:
Improved menu guidance with the introduction of the new button " Back" at the top left corner of the camera menu.
Camera menu:
The WLAN menu item has become part of Camera Settings.
Camera menu:
A new flash icon was integrated
Capture mode:
Blackout time for single shots was improved from approx. 310 ms to around 250 ms.
Review mode:
Improved user interaction for the deletion of multiple shots.
Connecting to Leica FOTOS App
The problem of Leica FOTOS being unable to connect if another smartphone was already connected to the camera via Wi-Fi was remedied.
Exif 3.0:
Support for Exif 3.0 and the GPS version 2.4.0.0 was added.
Mechanical shutter speeds:
When using the hybrid shutter, the camera will now use the mechanical shutter for the speeds 1/5000 s, 1/6400 s, and 1/8000 s.

FIRMWARE UPDATES

Leica is continuously working on the further improvement and optimization of your camera. Since many camera functions are entirely controlled by software, some of these improvements and additions to the functional scope can be installed in retrospect. Leica offers firmware updates at irregular intervals, which you can download from our website.
Leica will notify you of any new updates, once you have registered your camera. Users of Leica FOTOS will also be automatically notified about firmware updates for their Leica cameras.
There are two options for installing firmware updates.

• conveniently via the Leica FOTOS app
• directly via the camera menu

Finding the currently installed firmware version

• Select Camera Information in the main menu
  • The current firmware versions are displayed.
    

More information about registering, firmware updates and how to download them to your camera, as well as any amendments and additions to this manual can be found in the customer area of our website at: https://club.leica-camera.com

EXECUTING A FIRMWARE UPDATE

Any interruption of a running firmware update may cause serious and irreparable damage to your equipment!
You will therefore have to take particular note of the following, when carrying out a firmware update:

• Do not switch off the camera!
• Do not remove the memory card!
• Do not remove the rechargeable battery!
• Do not detach the lens!

Notes

• A warning message will appear if the battery is insufficiently charged. Recharge the battery and then repeat the process described above.
• You will find additional device and country-specific registration marks and numbers in the Camera Information submenu.

PREPARATION

• Fully charge and insert the rechargeable battery
• Any stored firmware files on the memory card must be removed
  • We recommend saving any images on the memory card and reformatting it before the update.
    
    Loss of data! All data stored on the memory card will be lost during formatting.
• Download the latest firmware version
• Save the download to the memory card
  • The firmware file must be stored in the main directory of the memory card (not in a sub-directory).
• Insert the memory card into the camera
• Switch the camera on

ABOUT LEICA FOTOS APP

Leica FOTOS will notify you when firmware updates are available for your Leica cameras.

• Follow the instructions provided by the Leica FOTOS app

Notes

• The Leica FOTOS Version 4.8.0 or higher is required for the firmware update function of the camera.
• A warning message will appear if the battery is insufficiently charged. Recharge the battery and then repeat the process described above.

ABOUT THE CAMERA MENU

• Preparation
• Select Camera Information in the main menu
• Select Camera Firmware Version
• Select Start Update
  • A prompt with information about the camera is displayed.
• Check the version information
• Select Yes
  • The prompt Save profiles on SD Card? appears.
• Select Yes/No
  • The update will start automatically.
  • The lower status LED will flash during this process.
  • Once the process has completed successfully, a relevant on-screen message and prompt to restart the device will appear on screen.
• Switch the camera off and on again

Note

• Date & time, as well as the preferred language will have to be set up again after the restart. Relevant prompts will appear on screen.

UPDATING THE LENS FIRMWARE

Where available, firmware updates can be performed for Leica SL lenses and for all other lens types by L-Mount Alliance.
Firmware updates for Leica SL lenses are generally uploaded alongside the latest version of the camera firmware and will not have to be implemented manually. Provided an SL lens is attached during the camera update, it will automatically receive the latest firmware version. Where that is not the case, a relevant prompt will appear when a lens is attached to a camera with updated firmware for the first time.
The instructions provided for camera firmware updates apply.

• Preparation
• Select Camera Information in the main menu
• Select Lens Firmware Version
• Select Start Update
  • A prompt with information about the camera is displayed.
• Check the version information
• Select Yes
  • The update will start automatically.
  • The lower status LED will flash during this process.
  • Once the process has completed successfully, a relevant on-screen message and prompt to restart the device will appear on screen.
• Switch the camera off and on again

ISO SETTINGS IN LIVE VIEW

ISO SENSITIVITY

The ISO setting covers a range between ISO 50 and ISO 100 000, allowing you to adapt to the relevant situation as required.
There is more leeway for the use of preferred shutter-speed/aperture combinations when choosing an automatic ISO setting. You can set priorities within the scope of the automatic setting, e.g. for reasons of pictorial composition.
Factory setting: Auto ISO

AUTOMATIC SETTING

The camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to ambient brightness and/or to the configured shutter-speed/aperture combination. In conjunction with aperture-priority mode, this function extends the range for automatic exposure control. The automatic setting of ISO sensitivity occurs in increments of 1⁄3 EV.

• Select ISO in the Control Center or turn the left dial
• Select A

Note
This function is not available in Cine mode.

DYNAMIC ISO SETTING (PHOTO/VIDEO)

The left dial is preconfigured to allow manual ISO settings in real time. The setting will cycle through all available ISO values. That means that Auto ISO can also be selected. When the lowest ISO value is reached by turning the left dial, then will be displayed to note the transition to the Auto ISO setting. The joystick and thumbwheel can then be used for toggling between and .

In Live View

• In shooting mode, turn the left dial to the left until the smallest ISO value is reached
  • appears.
• Press the joystick to the left
  • appears.

AUTOMATIC SETTING LOCK (VIDEO)

The camera automatically adjusts the sensitivity to ambient brightness and/or to the configured shutter-speed/aperture combination. You can lock the value () to ensure that the ISO value selected at the start of the shooting will be used throughout.

Via the Control Center

In Live View

• In shooting mode, turn the left dial to the left until the smallest ISO value is reached
  • appears.
• Press the joystick to the left or turn the thumbwheel
  • appears.
• Press the joystick to the left or turn the thumbwheel
  • appears.

Note

• When an ISO value was locked in () during shooting, it can be released again by pressing the joystick to the right at any time. The display will then change from to or .

WHITE BALANCE

(IM VIDEO MODE)
In white balance ensures neutral color rendering in any light. White Balance relies on the setting made in the camera, which light color is to be rendered as 'white'.
Five methods are available:

• automatic control
• automatic control with lock function
• fixed presets
• manual setting via metering
• direct setting of the color temperature

Factory setting: Auto

Notes

• During video capture, the white balance can be modified via the FN button or the thumbwheel.
• You can toggle between Auto and Auto - Lock, or switch to another fixed color temperature.

JOYSTICK FUNCTIONS

(IN SHOOTING MODE)
You can assign various functions to the joystick in photo mode. The settings for AF and MF mode are done separately.

AF MODE

• Select Customize Control in the main menu
• Select Joystick
• Select AF Mode
• Select the desired setting
  (AF-L, AE-L, AF-L + AE-L, AF-ON)

Note

• With the function AF-ON selected, AF will be deactivated by pressing the shutter button to the first pressure point. The metering (iAF, AFs, AFc) is activated by pressing the joystick. An icon in Live View signals the activation. Pressing the joystick will activate AF only, and not AE.

MF MODE

• Select Customize Control in the main menu
• Select Joystick
• Select MF Mode
• Select the desired setting
  (Magnification, AFs, AFs + AE-L, AFc, AFc + AE-L, AE-L)

OPERATING MODE
Factory setting: Hold

• Select Customize Control in the main menu
• Select Joystick
• Select Operating Mode Hold or Click

BUTTON LOCK

• Select Customize Control in the main menu
• Select Joystick
• Select Button Lock
• Select the desired setting
  • Click
    • Depending on settings, the first tap on the joystick activates AF-L, AE-L, or AF-L + AE-L. Successful AF metering is indicated by a green focus frame. If AE-L is selected, the icon appears in the footer line.
    • This metered value remains saved until the second joystick tap.
  • Hold
    • Depending on the setting, AF-L, AE-L, or AF-L + AE-L will be locked as long as the joystick is pressed and held.
    • When the joystick is released, the relevant metering type will be unlocked.